Yun Shu was about to refuse, but Zhen Lin continued, "Consider it our gratitude to Miss Ning and Miss Xiao Qing. Miss Ning, please don't refuse. The pleasure boat belongs to our princely estate, and no one else will be present."
He knew she was about to refuse at a glance.
Perhaps to her, he was just another patient among many.
Thinking of this, a certain spot in his heart was gently tugged.
Having said that, it was naturally difficult for Yun Shu to refuse, so she nodded, "Alright."
Qin Yiqing, standing beside them, secretly watched Zhen Lin. She hadn't thought much of it before, but when Yun Shu said she was leaving just now, his expression clearly changed.
Even the hand holding the paper seemed to tremble slightly.
What did this mean?
It meant Zhen Lin might still harbor feelings for Yun Shu!
After Zhen Lin left, Qin Yiqing quickly leaned in front of Yun Shu, "I've discovered a secret!"
A major secret!
"Oh? Tell me about it," Yun Shu smiled. Secrets discovered by Qin Yiqing were usually no longer secrets.
Qin Yiqing chuckled, "I discovered that Duke Zhen seems to like you. When he heard you say you were leaving, he seemed very reluctant."
Hearing this, Yun Shu's smile faded. This was something she had overlooked.
Seeing Yun Shu's expression turn serious, Qin Yiqing continued, "Are we still going boating tomorrow?"
"Yes," Yun Shu replied without hesitation.
After all, it was just a guess. Observing over this period, Duke Zhen was a very upright person. Moreover, with the disguise she was wearing, she didn't expect him to have any improper thoughts.
Of course, she had another guess: things were nearing their end, and Zhen Lin and Princess Ning De were suspicious of her identity and wanted to investigate more about her.
Or they wanted to know if she had any other motives for coming to the Pingyang Princely Estate.
"Don't say I didn't warn you; I just feel Duke Zhen has some intentions towards you," Qin Yiqing said, still worried as Yun Shu seemed unconcerned.
While ordinary people couldn't harm Yun Shu, nor take advantage of her, and might even lose their lives for having improper thoughts about her, this Duke Zhen was different.
Duke Zhen seemed to have significant intentions towards Yun Shu.
It was an inexplicable intuition.
Yun Shu's mind was preoccupied with how to arrange for Xiao Li and the other two to meet Zhan Tianye, making other matters less important.
"Xiao Li and the other two miss you and King Ye. I visited them a couple of days ago; they looked so pitiful," Qin Yiqing changed the subject.
She truly felt sorry for the three of them.
Three lively and spirited little darlings, yet they seemed to be without a father. Knowing their father had forgotten them, they appeared alright on the surface, but they must have been very sad and longed to see King Ye.
Hearing Qin Yiqing's words, Yun Shu's heart ached, "Yes, after we leave the Pingyang Princely Estate, I'll take them to see Zhan Tianye."
"They'll be overjoyed to know they can see their father so soon!" Qin Yiqing rejoiced for the three little ones.
Yun Shu's smile turned gentle.
Whenever her three sons were mentioned, her heart was filled with an uncontainable tenderness.
"You like children so much, why don't you have two of your own in the future?" Yun Shu teased Qin Yiqing.
Qin Yiqing blinked, unable to look at Yun Shu. How could she have children? She couldn't truly be husband and wife with Meng Xiao. She giggled and said, "We'll talk about it after I'm married. I think even if I had children, they wouldn't be as cute and clever as Xiao Jing and the others. Maybe I won't have any. You let them recognize me as their godmother, and I'll give them all the success I achieve. They won't be at a disadvantage!"
Not having to give birth herself, and yet gaining three cute and clever sons – she could laugh in her sleep.
"The ones you birth yourself are the sweetest," Yun Shu said with a smile, thinking what a silly girl she was.
Qin Yiqing was stunned. "Sweet? I think Xiao Jing and the others smell quite nice."
Besides, what kind of scent did children have? A milky scent?
Yun Shu then realized she had said something incomprehensible and smiled, "You'll understand when you get married and have children in the future."
The two continued to chat casually.
They hadn't brought much with them when they arrived; many things were already here, mostly Yun Shu's books and such.
As they were nearly finished packing, Yun Shu tested Qin Yiqing's resolve, "If Ji Rong comes looking for you, will you go with him?"
This question startled Qin Yiqing. The smile on her face froze slightly, and she then said in a very casual tone, "How could he possibly look for me? He's already married and is busy kissing beauties."
Though her words were light, Qin Yiqing's eyes were filled with sadness.
Yun Shu didn't mention Ji Rong again. When Ji Rong arrived, she would see how Qin Yiqing would choose.
...
Since their return from the hunt, the entire capital had been abuzz with talk about Prince Jin and Princess Ning De.
As the rumors spread, the events were portrayed in an extremely rosy light.
These rumors caused many women in the capital who admired King Ye to become heartbroken.
Furthermore, many timid women were utterly distraught. Prince Jin had a penchant for raising snakes, and not just ordinary snakes, but Snow Spirit Snakes that could kill a person with a single bite.
The mere thought of this made them even more afraid to approach Prince Jin.
Having personally witnessed Prince Jin defending Princess Ning De, what else was there to understand?
That was Princess Ning De!
Various rumors reached the Shangshu's mansion, and the servants gathered to discuss them. The Shangshu's wife and Qin Lingyue had become particularly active these past couple of days, showing signs of bullying Qin Linglong as they had in the past. xxs壹贰
However, the servants in the mansion dared not openly mistreat Qin Linglong.
Because Prince Jin had not publicly stated his dislike for Qin Linglong, nor had he called off the marriage, it meant Prince Jin might still have Qin Linglong in his heart.
But when various news reached Qin Linglong's ears, and the attitude of the servants in the mansion began to subtly change, and the Shangshu's wife and Qin Lingyue reverted to their old ways, Qin Linglong could no longer sit still.
Her two maids also couldn't sit still.
They rushed out to tell the servants to shut up.
Finally, with some trepidation, they approached Qin Linglong, "Miss, don't listen to what they say outside! What do they know? They just gossip behind people's backs!"
"That's right, Miss. Prince Jin chose you as his concubine in front of everyone; he didn't want anyone else. Don't they remember what happened at the palace banquet that day? Once Prince Jin marries you, they won't dare to speak nonsense anymore!"
However, Qin Linglong's face turned slightly pale. She pursed her lips tightly and immediately made a decision that shocked Xiao Huan and Xiao Jia.